Judging by film and television, most Americans spend their work lives toiling in just a few
professions: crime fighter, lawyer, doctor, actor or professional assassin.

Actually, legions of movie characters have worked in almost every walk of life, but the hero
spends little more than a scene or two on the job. The rest of the feature takes place off the

clock, with the character searching for love or wealth, revenge or redemption. Rarely, in
fact, does the viewer learn much about the nuts and bolts of any character’s
profession. (All the President’s Men and most movies about chefs are notable exceptions.)

In honor of the holiday today, we single out some vintage films that celebrate the diversity of
American labor and the fleeting lessons they impart. Some are strongly recommended; others provide
more escapism than art.

Norma Rae (1979)

Occupation: textile worker

Plot: A worker (Sally Field) in a nonunion textile mill with terrible
working conditions is recruited by an outside organizer to help unionize the mill, even though the
effort threatens her marriage and reputation.

Lesson: When working under these conditions, try to inhale as
infrequently as possible.

The In-Laws (1979)

Occupation: dentist

Plot: A successful New York dentist (Alan Arkin) finds his life disrupted by his
daughter’s future father-in-law (Peter Falk), who claims to be a CIA agent who has just robbed the
U.S. Mint.

Lesson: A dentist shouldn’t leave a patient in the chair with a mouthful of cotton
wadding while he leaves to get chased through the streets by gunmen.

Broadcast News (1987)

Lesson: When you’re producing an emergency news broadcast with a less-than-sharp
anchorman, make sure that his earphone to the control room is working perfectly.

Driving Miss Daisy (1989)

Occupation: chauffeur

Plot: A black man (Morgan Freeman) in the 1950s South is hired to drive a white
Jewish widow (Jessica Tandy), whose son is convinced she can no longer drive herself. At first she
refuses his services, but, through two decades, they develop a restrained affection.

Lesson: If your passenger refuses to be driven to the store, drive slowly next to
the sidewalk just behind her. She’ll get the message eventually.

Fargo (1996)

Occupation: car salesman

Plot: To avoid bankruptcy, a Minnesota car salesman (William H. Macy)
hires a pair of dubious men to kidnap his wife for a ransom to be paid by her wealthy father. After
that, everything goes wrong.

Lesson: Some customers get testy when you charge them for
TruCoat sealant they said they didn’t want. (Keep insisting, and they’ll soon give
up.)

The Perfect Storm (2000)

Occupation: fisherman

Plot: A commercial fishing boat, captained by a veteran skipper
(George Clooney), heads well out into the Atlantic to a prime spot just as the convergence of a
hurricane, a cold front and a low front create horrific weather conditions.

Lesson: No matter how great the catch, ignoring severe-weather
warnings isn’t sound seamanship.